278 LIFE IN JAVA.
Leaving this lonely-looking summit, we de- scended rapidly till we reached the path to the Ghedde, wdien we climbed a steep ascent over loose stones and rocks till we reached this brother mountain of the Pangarango; for, singular to say, they both rise from one base, and are both the same height. The Ghedde, however, unlike its neighbour, is an active volcano, with a large crater, portions of which are now extinct. We stood upon the edge of the yawning abyss, from which the smoke rose in dense volumes, accompanied with loud noises, reminding one of Dante's description of Limbo
" The dread abyss, that joins a thundrous sound Of plaints innumerable. Dark and deep, And thick with clouds o'erspread, mine eye in vain Explored its bottom, nor could aught discern."
The strata opposite and above the ridge we stood upon appeared to Ije of sand, brown rock, lime, and grey stones, the latter running in lateral lines one over the other, like steps of different colours.
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